I often experience feeling a lack of confidence when facing something new. Sometimes it stops me from taking action for fear of “what if…”. Less so these days.
Gradually, I’ve come to accept, through my coaching training, that confidence is a result and not a requirement.
What do I mean by that?
Looking at the definition of confidence in my dictionary, it reads…
Confidence: Belief in one’s own abilities: self-assurance.
Looking at belief, it reads: a principle, etc., accepted as true or real, especially without proof.
The key phrase for me there is “without proof”.
We could re-write the definition of confidence as: Acceptance without proof of one’s own abilities.
How easy is that?
Lack of proof is the thing that makes confidence so elusive.
So, what’s the answer?
Courage: The power or quality of dealing with or facing danger, fear, pain, etc.
Showing courage to take action in spite of fear and doubt creates evidence that makes belief unnecessary. We demonstrate that we are capable, it is possible, and I am good enough. We create the proof that we ‘can’.
The proof solidifies confidence because we’ve already shown we can do it. The more we act with courage to face our challenges, the more proof we have that we are capable of dealing with whatever life throws at us.
Courage precedes confidence.
If we wait until we have the confidence to do things we may never start.
What helps with courage?
Having people around you to support you and help you make healthy choices and celebrate your successes.
Coaching is a great way to have support, someone on your side helping you take that courageous first step.
Coaching helps you feel safer while you prove to yourself how capable you really are.
Have courage my friends.
Andrew
Need support to find your courage and take action? I can help.
If you want help, get in touch, and let’s explore working together
As a personal effectiveness coach, I work with many people experiencing the same challenges as above. It’s amazing the difference having a strong support relationship has in achieving the changes they want. You can do it too.
